2014 Recipient: Blake Smith

This scholarship is awarded to outstanding junior or senior physics majors who are concentrating on applied physics, especially those with a computational science minor and who are participating in student-faculty collaborative research with a Physics & Astronomy Department faculty member.

David and Marilyn Karlgaard have fond memories of UWEC because they met here. David Karlgaard, a Rice Lake native, graduated from UWEC in 1967 with degrees in math and physics. He was co-founder, CEO and president of PEC Solutions, Inc., an internet technology-consulting firm headquartered in Fairfax, VA, which was acquired by Nortel Networks in 2005. Marilyn, a Viroqua native, attended UWEC from 1965-1968. She is a retired human resource manager.

2014 Recipient: Sean O'Connell

Awarded to a student majoring in the Physics and Astronomy Department who shows great promise for a successful career in research or teaching (where preference is given to a student who is preparing to attend graduate school).

This scholarship was established to honor Dr. Gabriel Kojoian, a long-time Professor of Physics and Astronomy at UWEC. The first son of Armenian immigrants,Gabe received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was widely recognized for his research in the fields of particle physics and radio astronomy. Gabe joined the UWEC faculty in 1976. In addition to teaching physics, astrophysics and astronomy courses at UW- Eau Claire for over two decades, he mentored and wrote papers with UW-Eau Claire students on research projects in astronomy and astrophysics. Gabe was a devoted friend and mentor, and the opportunities that he provided to students will be long remembered. This scholarship was established by UW-Eau Claire alumnus Doug Pearson in Gabe's memory on his passing in 1998.

2014 Recipient: Matthew Bowe

Awarded to an outstanding junior or senior UW-Eau Claire student majoring in physics with a record of academic achievement and a deep passion for the study of physics. Award recipients are also evaluated based on their breadth of interests outside of physics, their leadership skills, their commitment to fellow students, and their intention to pursue graduate study in physics.

Established in memory of Jacob Clarkson, a UW-Eau Claire physics major with a gift for and love of science, whose life ended prematurely in October 2012.

2014 Recipient(s): Nokoma Kohl-Blomsness & Austin Riedl

Awarded to an outstanding student in the Physics & Astronomy Department who demonstrates academic excellence and aptitude for scientific research. This award will enhance his or her ability to further physics/astronomy knowledge and understanding through a creative research project.

This scholarship was established by a UWEC alum who currently owns his own businessin Eau Claire. He enjoyed his physics and philosophy courses so muchwhile he attended UWEC that he wanted to encourage current students to spendmore time working on creative research projects and furthering their knowledge and understanding of the subjects.

2014 Recipient: Michael Yohn

Awarded to an outstanding student in the Physics & Astronomy Department who demonstrates excellence outside the classroom, as well as within the classroom. These extracurricular activities could include participation in a study abroad program, leadership experiences enhancing the social atmosphere of the Department and Seminar Room,and/or the potential for future contributions to a scientific field.

2014 Recipient: Steven Fuhrman

Awarded to the most outstanding physics or pre-engineering major based on academic excellence in Physics 231/232 (introductory calculus-based physics).

Established in honor of John T. "Terry" Carroll son of former Northern States Power – Wisconsin President Jack Carroll, for his notable record of achievement in scientific research. Terry was 45 years old when he died after establishing a notable record of achievement in scientific research. He earned a bachelor's degree in Madison. He did postdoctoral work as a programmer at the Stanford Linear Accelerator. He also worked on a research project at the European organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva. The results of the CERN project included the discovery of an important new subatomic particle, and the head of the project received the Nobel Prize for Physics for this discovery. At the time ofhis death, Terry was employed as an applied scientist at Fermilab in Batavia,Illinois.

2014 Recipient: Thomas Nevins

Awarded to the most outstanding senior student in the Physics & Astronomy Department, to assist in the successful transition to the graduate program of his or her choice.

This award was established by Beverly McGregor in honor of her husband. Richard McGregor graduated from UWEC in 1950 with a BS in math. After serving in the Korean War and earning his MS from Marquette University in 1959, he returned to UWEC as a faculty member in the Physics & Astronomy Department. For the last 20 years of his service to the University he was an Assistant Dean in the College of Arts & Sciences.